Sleep aids increase risk of baby death

PARENTS have been warned against using devices designed to keep babies sleeping on their backs, as they can increase the risk of infant death instead of preventing it.

The Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Paediatrics issued the joint warning in the US after reviewing reports of 12 infant deaths associated with the products over the past 13 years.

Most of the children died after rolling from a side-sleeping position onto their stomachs and suffocating, but others became trapped between the sleep positioner and the side of their bed and suffocated.

Sleep positioning devices are used on infants younger than six months and are supposed to keep an infant from rolling onto the stomach while sleeping to avoid sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, which has been linked to stomach-sleeping.

The most common types of sleep positioners have bolsters attached to each side of a thin mat and wedges to elevate the baby's head.

Jeanine Young, chairwoman of the SIDS and Kids national scientific advisory group, said similar devices had been linked to child deaths in Australia.

Many cots also came with extra pillows but did not include clear warnings that additional pillows and mattresses were unsuitable for children under two years old.

"There are a lot of these things out there, and parents assume that if they are buying them from a reputable dealer that it must be safe," Ms Young said.

The sleep positioners, mattresses and pillows were also frequently advertised as endorsed by paediatricians, but parents should take advice only from reputable research organisations , she said.

About 95 per cent of sudden and unexplained infant deaths were eventually linked to known risk factors such as sleeping on soft beds and pillows and using loose coverings.

A spokeswoman for the Australian College of Midwives, Hannah Dahlen, said businesses should not sell sell such devices.

"The advice has always been very clear that nothing unnecessary should be placed in the bed. I guess if people think they can make some money they will invent anything."

Posted 01 October 10

Sleep Guidance and Dunstan Baby Language Course Sydney

Sleep Guidance Specialist Course and Dunstan Baby Language

SYDNEY Sat 30th Oct 2010 9.30am-3.30pm

Cost: approx: $100

Sleep Guidance Specialist Course for Nannies and Child Care Workers This course is for Nannies and Child Care workers wanting to gain additional skills in Sleep Guidance with the ability to be able to provide consultations to families who are experiencing sleeping difficulties with their children.

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enrol in both courses and receive a $20+ discount.

Posted 15 October 10

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Night Nannies is offering packages for Melbourne cup day and weekend for Nannies and Babysitters.